14 The hish Naturalist. January,. 



NEWS GLEANINGS. 



Belfast Municipal Museum. 



An important and interesting addition has been recently made to the 

 natural history department of this museum by the donation of an exten- 

 sive and valuable series of marine, fresh water, and land shells from the 

 representatives of the late Mr. George Horner, J. P., of The Lodge, 

 Cliftonville. This collection, to be known as the " Horner Collection," 

 was largely collected by the late Sir James Emerson Tennent, Governor 

 of Ceylon, and sent home to Mr. Davidson, M.P., of The Abbey, White 

 abbey, at whose sale the}' were acquired by the late Mr. Horner. 



The Limerick Field Club. 



The Limerick Field Club in their winter programme include two 

 evenings devoted to "Natural History and Archaeological Exhibits 

 followed by short papers from members of the Club." This should be 

 useful in popularizing the meetings. The scientific lectures on the pro- 

 gramme include "A Botanical Ramble in the English Lake District" 

 by Miss Bennis. and " Some Limerick Wild-flowers" by Mr. Praeger. 



Exploration of Dunmore Cave. 



Professor A. C. Haddon and Messrs. Seymour (Geological Survey), 

 Halbert (National Museum) and Praeger have been investigating the Cave 

 of Dunmore, in Co. Kilkenny, both as regards its geology, and its past and 

 present fauna. A number of the small animals which render the 

 Mitchelstown cave so interesting were taken. The full results will be 

 published shortly. 



Dublin Museum Demonstrations. 



We call attention to the advertisement of the Museum Demonstrations 

 now being held in Dublin, which appears on the back of our cover. This 

 form of practical instruction in science and art has proved a success in 

 the past, and its origiuat or, Col. Plunkett, is sparing no pains to make the 

 demonstrations of the present year as interesting as heretofore. The 

 demonstrations already held have been largely attended. 



Field Club Union Conference. 



The Committee of the Irish Field Club Union have decided on holding 

 the Triennial Conference of 1901 in Dublin, in the month of June. This 

 will be a departure from the plan of the two previous conferences, inas- 

 much as the whole time will not be devoted to country excursions ; 

 visits under skilled guidance to the various scientific institutions of the 

 metropolis will be an important item of the programme; but the beauties 

 of counties Dublin and Wicklow will not be lost sight of. 



